There sure seems to be a lot of Greenwings............

[mtdoramike]

listed on the classifieds as of late. I find it odd because you really don't even see that many Greenwings at least around my area. I know why Darkling is re-homing Hannibal and I'm trying to help out a fellow bird owner re-home Cha Cha. I would have figured there would be a lot more Blue & Golds than Greenwings listed since they seemed to be the preferred macaw.

It's probably just a fluke hahahahaha.

 

[JJones1719]

I would say with this is a fluke. The problem here is, people buy Macaws, they have no clue how to care for them. They don't seek help and find it easier to ignore them, never handle them, then get tired of having them around so they give them up to a rescue. By now the GW Macaw is a damaged bird and does not trust people, so the training starts and some do very well while others don't. The GW is making a huge come back because they are so close to the personality of the HY without the price tag, so people who know about the species are now breeding more each year. My fear is, over time, we will see more and more GW in rescues. If people would only do their homework upfront before the purchase of a Macaw of any type, I truely believe these wonderful birds would never end up in a rescue or any type of bird.
My Club is now working on a program with Petsmart, Petco and even Mom and Pop bird stores, if allowed, we will set up and little stand in the pet stores and educate people first before purchasing these birds. My fingers crossed that this will help. Thanks for this post. Joe

 

[darkling]

There are a ton of birds in general on my local craig's list this morning. There's one little rainbow lorikeet that looks like she plucked herself to ribbons.

There ought to be a test or something that people need to take prior to purchasing a bird from a breeder. It shouldn't be as easy as tossing your money down and taking home the bird of your choice. All babies are cute but babies grow ...

 

[mtdoramike]

I know what you mean Darkling, I always felt the same about babies. It's too easy to have one and if the parent is irresponsible, there will be a problem.

 

[mtdoramike]

I would say with this is a fluke. The problem here is, people buy Macaws, they have no clue how to care for them. They don't seek help and find it easier to ignore them, never handle them, then get tired of having them around so they give them up to a rescue. By now the GW Macaw is a damaged bird and does not trust people, so the training starts and some do very well while others don't. The GW is making a huge come back because they are so close to the personality of the HY without the price tag, so people who know about the species are now breeding more each year. My fear is, over time, we will see more and more GW in rescues. If people would only do their homework upfront before the purchase of a Macaw of any type, I truely believe these wonderful birds would never end up in a rescue or any type of bird.
My Club is now working on a program with Petsmart, Petco and even Mom and Pop bird stores, if allowed, we will set up and little stand in the pet stores and educate people first before purchasing these birds. My fingers crossed that this will help. Thanks for this post. Joe

WOW that would be a fantastic idea Joe. In the local pet shop here, the largest bird you can buy is a Conure. I noticed that even most breeders in my area don't carry Greenwings. They have mainly Blue & Golds and Scarletts. I guess they sell better and they are priced cheaper that Greenwings. Here I can buy a Blue & Gold weaned for around $900.00, but a weaned Greenwing if you can find one will run about $1800.00.

I just thought it was very strange because you never see them offered in the marketplace, but yet here are three all of a sudden. I haven't yet seen a Greenwing offered in my area on Craigslist or Ebay Classifieds. I know Darkling is re-homing her's for good reason and I'm trying to help the owners of Cha Cha Coconut to find him a forever home since the owners are displaced themselve and have been out of work for awhile. I don't begrudge anyone who has had misfortune like losing their home or and their job and coming to the devistating decision to re-home their bird. It would literally kill me to have to make that decision ( and with a bad ticker) I'm not exagerating here hahahahaha. I have only had Tiki for about 4 1/2 months, but I just can't see myself letting her go.

 

[Gabriel]

Greenwings are friendlier then B&G's. I never paid over 900.00 for any of my GW's, however they were not what you would call tame when I got them, but when they left they were. I have tried to re-home two B&G's without success in making them tame again. I'm on my third B&G and it looks like this guy is going to make it. He is a keeper!
All but this B&G came from Breeder friends that also rescue.
One of them has 125 pairs of Macaw's.

 

[JJones1719]

I guess it depends on what part of the U.S you live. On the East coast, GW from a Breeder from ago 9 months or older seem to go for $1800.00 to $2000.00. B&G run approx $1200.00 to $1400.00. One would thinnk that for any bird at these costs would never give them up, make sure they can care for these types of Birds but it always surprise me when I find out how easy someone can give up thier wonderful Birds. I hope to see one day where bird rescues no longer in business but I'm afraid this day will never come as long as people who buy birds continue to do so without knowing what care must go into them. Fingers crossed that GW will not end up in rescues. Perhaps Breeders need to increase the price for these birds to make it hurt for someone to be able to give up their pet so easy. Joe

 

[mtdoramike]

I don't know JJ, to me, $1800.00 would be something that I would have to think long and hard about. But not others I reckon. The few breeders that I have talked to said they always sold more birds easier in the spring than any other time of the year. They contribute it to TAX TIME here in the US. Most folks treat a tax refund as free money when in actuallity it was money that they worked for all year and their employer withheld more than they were required to hence a refund. I believe this is why there are so many birds for sale. Knee jerk reaction when buying the bird and then once the new wore off, it's time to sell it and buy something else. Tis a shame. I know this isn't the case with me and Darkling. Cha Cha's parents have been displaced due to losing their jobs and have to move fairly frequently and feel like it's not fair to Cha Cha. They would love to have th opportunity to buy Cha Cha back once they get back on their feet. But most folks wouldn't agree to that. Like me, once I own a pet I have it for the rest of it life or mine.

 

[JJones1719]

Mike, I'm the same way. I never purchase a pet to then turn around and either sell it or give it away. I feel this way, if I don't do my homework upfront, then I deserve everything I get.
As an example, you will never see a HY Macaw in a rescue, the reason being, these Macaws can run from $6000.00 to $10000.00. GW Macaws should be right there with the HY in my opinion, I have been around many Hy Macaws and they are truely wonderful Macaws but not so much different then the GW as far as personality goes.
I wish people out there who have a bird and thinking of giving it away to a rescue would check out these sites and message boards first. I can understand if they lose their jobs, but most people are not out of work that long and seem to land back on their feet. Most Bird clubs I know would help out to foster these birds until their owner gets back on their feet. Most clubs will work with people who have behavior parrot issues and this too can be a reason to give up a bird. People just don't know about us. Too sad. Thanks for your post. Joe

 

[Gabriel]

Life brings about unpredictable events, never say never.
Never attempting to do something you think you might like means you may never experience all life has to offer.
Should all people past the age of say 2 never get a Macaw because chances are your Macaw will outlive you no matter what.
All things given; we will all give up our Macaws because they will out live everyone of us, and that's the very best scenario.
Never say never....

 

[mtdoramike]

Life brings about unpredictable events, never say never.
Never attempting to do something you think you might like means you may never experience all life has to offer.
Should all people past the age of say 2 never get a Macaw because chances are your Macaw will outlive you no matter what.
All things given; we will all give up our Macaws because they will out live everyone of us, and that's the very best scenario.
Never say never....

OK, if you want to look at it from that perspective, would you feel the same way about your child? There is always a way to work through anything unless you want to take the easy way out and get rid of it, which is what some folks do.

 

[darkling]

Children are a heck of a lot easier to cart around and even get assistance for than birds or any other type of pet, for that matter.

I've never seen any state funding whatsoever towards helping someone deal with an unruly bird but one of my nieces gets SSI for her 8 yr son because he has ADHD.

If you lose your job, your home, etc; you can take your children to the homeless shelter with you. Not so with your birds, especially not a macaw. You can't get food stamps or TANF for a macaw and no one offers free therapy to macaw owners who can't cope with their bird's behaviour.

When it comes to handling your pets, you're kind of on your own. When it comes to raising your children, if you can't manage it on your own that's okay because there are all manner of programs out there to help you.

Not to mention, I was adopted. Did my biological mother take the easy way out by giving me up? I don't see it that way. She knew she couldn't provide me with the kind of home care that I needed. It was an act of courage and love for her to give me up, knowing she may never see me again. I'm sorry if any of what I've written offends anyone but it kind of offends me when people compare animals to children as if there is any comparison at all.

I can't have children, myself. My pets are, in a way, my substitution for children. But I'm not going to kid myself and try to say its the same thing. Its not. The love I feel for my pets is nothing in comparison to the love a mother (of a father) feels for a child.

 

[Gabriel]

Life brings about unpredictable events, never say never.
Never attempting to do something you think you might like means you may never experience all life has to offer.
Should all people past the age of say 2 never get a Macaw because chances are your Macaw will outlive you no matter what.
All things given; we will all give up our Macaws because they will out live everyone of us, and that's the very best scenario.
Never say never....

OK, if you want to look at it from that perspective, would you feel the same way about your child? There is always a way to work through anything unless you want to take the easy way out and get rid of it, which is what some folks do.

I never wanted to go to war, however that did not matter. My child left home 18 years ago.
I look at it for a real perspective.